Why Are Noncitizens Receiving Voter Registration Forms?

Written by David E. Smith

Illinois State Senator Steve McClure (R-Effingham) continues to sound the alarm over election integrity as it pertains to the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the distribution of voter registration materials to illegal immigrants applying for state benefits.

In a January 7, 2025 press release, McClure revealed that IDHS was sending packets to noncitizens that included “pre-filled out” voter registration applications already addressed to county clerk offices. He warned that such practices create confusion and could open the door to unlawful voter registration.

Now, in comments made this week during Senate floor debate about the confirmation of Dulce Quintero as sectrary o f IDHS, McClure reiterated that Illinois citizens deserve confidence that elections are being administered lawfully and transparently. He argued that state agencies should not be creating situations where noncitizens could mistakenly believe they are eligible to register to vote.

In response to this shocking situation, IFA board member and candidate for Illinois House Stephanie Trussell sent us the following statement:

Dulce M. Quintero is the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services and he must be held accountable for her agency mailing completed voter registration forms to noncitizens seeking benefits.

State Senator Steve McClure addressed the issue 18 months ago and has yet to receive any response. Is DHS simply hoping the inquiries will go away?

The Immigration Act of 1924 reinforced existing laws designed to exclude individuals likely to become a burden on the state. We have veterans sleeping on the  streets while we provide non-citizens with benefits. Illinois is a that can’t meet pension obligations. How can we offer benefits to noncitizens who were lured here by our sanctuary state status?

DHS apparently feels empowered enough to invite noncitizens to participate in our voting process. Voting is one of the most valuable rights we have as citizens. 

In Illinois we have become desensitized to stories of government agencies behaving badly. We hope those who are proven guilty will be held accountable but sadly we’re not surprised when nothing happens.

Dulce M. Quintero, Secretary of Department of Human Services must be forced to answer to the citizens of Illinois.

Carol Davis, Chair, Illinois Conservative Union and election integrity champion, points out:

I highly commend Senator McClure for not allowing this issue to die. It is crystal clear that the supermajority Democrats, who are running and ruining Illinois from top to bottom, have carefully laid the groundwork to allow illegal aliens to register and potentially to vote in Illinois elections. Senator McClure called this out back in January of 2025 and filed legislation (SB 59) to prevent this. His bill was sent, by the Democrats, to a committee to languish and die.

The Democrats are not hiding their intentional subversion of our elections. Wake up, legal citizens of Illinois! Your right to elect your own government is being stolen from you. Every illegal vote cancels the legal vote of a citizen, and that cancelled vote may be YOURS!

Senator McClure’s proposal is intended to strengthen safeguards and help restore public trust in the election process — something every American should be able to support. This should not be controversial. Voting is one of the most sacred responsibilities of citizenship, and election integrity is essential to maintaining public confidence in our republic.

Illinois lawmakers and state agencies should exercise extreme caution to ensure that taxpayer-funded programs are not inadvertently facilitating unlawful voter registration or undermining confidence in our elections.

Christian conservatives should not only be aware of how the election process is being undermined, intentionally and unintentionally, but we must commit to working to getting out the vote.

The Illinois Family Action is working with Illinois Conservative Union to urge concerned citizens to volunteer, get trained, and become actively involved in the election process through the Ballot Brigade initiative. Christians and conservatives cannot afford to sit on the sidelines while faith in our election system continues to decline.

We cannot restore confidence in elections through slogans or social media posts alone. We restore it when informed citizens are willing to roll up their sleeves to engage, observe, and participate in the process. It is essential to maintaining trust in our constitutional republic.

This content was composed and finalized by the author.
IFA staff and AI tools were used for proofing and clarity.